MIAMI — Whether it was playoff gamesmanship or not, Knicks coach Mike Woodson said there was “a strong possibility’’ center Tyson Chandler could sit out Saturday’s Game 1 vs. the Heat with the flu.

Chandler was back at the team’s hotel with the flu and fever and missed Friday’s practice. Chandler sat out Thursday night’s game vs. Charlotte and stayed back at the hotel.

Not having Chandler would be a devastating blow and it would seem difficult to imagine him not suiting up. But having him at less than 100 percent is a very likely scenario.

“We’re isolating him a bit from his teammates, so it doesn’t spread amongst the players,’’ Woodson said. “We’ll know more tomorrow. He didn’t eat much. We’re trying to keep fluids in him.’’

Carmelo Anthony said he did not think the flu would keep Chandler out. Chandler, a key to Dallas beating Miami in the NBA Finals last June, missed three games this season and the Knicks gave up 112, 118 and 119 points.

“He’s sick right now, a little ill. He’ll be with me tomorrow,” Anthony said. “We don’t care about today. As long as he’s with me tomorrow, we’re fine.’’

Chandler is a favorite to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year with LeBron James as his toughest competitor.

Woodson said Jared Jeffries could start in Chandler’s place or the Knicks likelier would go with a smaller lineup with Amar’e Stoudemire at center and Landry Fields back in the starting lineup.

Anthony was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for April.

He led the Knicks to a 9-4 month and helped them secure their second consecutive playoff berth. He led the NBA in scoring, averaging 29.8 points.

Over the month, he compiled seven 30-point and two 40-point performances, to go along with his second career triple-double in an April 17 victory over the Celtics.

On April 8, Anthony scored 43 points and connected on both game-tying and game-winning 3-pointers to defeat the Bulls 100-99 in overtime.